THE RIVERS OF THE PONTOS REGION IN ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL SOURCES: THE HALMS, IRIS & THERMODON

Abstract

For ages, the seas have shaped and moulded the surrounding geography ecologically, economically, demographically and politically. However, freshwater resources, essential for people's lives, also attracted human communities to themselves, and settlements were formed around the freshwater resources and streams. Like all seas, the Pontos Eukseinos (the Black Sea) shaped its surrounding geography and gave its name to the region on the south coast. The Pontos region attracted attention in ancient times because of its suitable climatic conditions, geographical features, rich underground and above-ground resources, and the autochthonous peoples living there. It is understood that the rivers significantly shaped this region. These rivers marked the region's boundaries and were regarded as the psychological border between societies and civilizations throughout history. The Halys was one of these rivers. Not only did the Pontos region mark the southern and western borders, but it was also considered the border between the eastern and western cultures throughout the ages. Another important river in the region was the Iris River, being the lifeblood of the region, with its waters forming the fertile plains. The Thermodon River, which gained its fame with the legendary peoples living around it, contributed to the popularisation of the region and formed fertile lands suitable for agriculture due to its wetlands; it also significantly added value to the development of the region. This study has tried to deal with the importance of the Halys, Iris and Thermodon rivers in the Pontos Region and their images in people's minds throughout the ages by considering the axis of ancient and medieval sources and modern research.